Lifestyle Family Fitness acquisition (Largo: how much, hotel, buying)

[tjax1000]

Since LA Fitness has bought out Lifestyle Family Fitness (where I was a member), I wanted to seek some advice.

A gym memberships seems like buying a car to me, except you can go to edmunds.com and get the true market value for the car you are thinking of buying and you can't do this for a gym membership meaning you walk in at an extreme disadvantage. Am I wrong here or is the monthly rate negotiable? I am assuming if it was not negotiable they would disclose it on their web site and they would have no room for the "showroom" area in the gym where you sit at a desk and discuss your new membership with a salesperson.

So, what is the TMV (true market value) for a membership for my wife and I, with access to all classes and child care services at a LFF location that is now LA Fitness? Right now I am paying $100 a month for both of us at LFF. I feel like that is too much and I was hesitant to even post that number for fear that you guys might call me a moron. Save yourself the trouble, I already know I'm a moron

Any suggestions on a new target price and how to negotiate? There is a Golds we could move to if they won't budge, although on the outside it looks run down- this is the North St. Pete location off 1st street- people say they like it though.

Thanks

[BucFan]

$100 - it's all relative. Well worth the price if you're taking advantage of everything (classes, child care). Not worth it if you're only going a couple of times a month.

I'd ask others what they're paying if you can to see if you're getting a good/bad deal.

[JSnFla]

I pay $48/month for LA Fitness and use their gyms all around the country. People that just want to join one location are paying as low as $24/month, maybe lower. LA Fitness is a completely functional, non threatening gym where all types of people work out. Always seem to be promoting a variety of creative membership deals.

[algia]

I called mine, because I wanted to go back since we got back, and they said for me + childcare and all the classes it is $34 a month! Not bad!

[tjax1000]

Thanks for the comments so far- we only work out at one location so perhaps that is an angle I can play. LFF upsold me by saying that to get child care I had to go with a more expensive membership. My cynical side suggests that they hone in on whatever specific service you need as a member and then tell you for "service x" you need to pay more.

Algia, can I ask whether that location you called was an original LA Fitness or a location that was previously a Bally's or LFF?

It is interesting that they charge double or more if you want travel privileges, especially if they are all corporate owned. I guess if you travel a lot for work they know they've got ya, since hotel "gyms" (treadmill in closet) often leave much to be desired

[algia]

It was an LA Fitness original location.

The LFF I used to go to was in Carrollwood. They tried to suck me into stuff but I refused.

I negotiated with LFF from day one, and explained it was just me, and that I needed the childcare, soooo I wasn't going to drop $100 for that. I don't travel frequently, and if I do, usually there is no gym time...nor am I going to scout for a gym...so...

After I read you post I called the location closer to me and flat out asked the guy how much for me and the childcare...as we talk about this, this episode comes to mind:
Friends - Chandler (gym) - YouTube

Originally Posted by tjax1000

Thanks for the comments so far- we only work out at one location so perhaps that is an angle I can play. LFF upsold me by saying that to get child care I had to go with a more expensive membership. My cynical side suggests that they hone in on whatever specific service you need as a member and then tell you for "service x" you need to pay more.

Algia, can I ask whether that location you called was an original LA Fitness or a location that was previously a Bally's or LFF?

It is interesting that they charge double or more if you want travel privileges, especially if they are all corporate owned. I guess if you travel a lot for work they know they've got ya, since hotel "gyms" (treadmill in closet) often leave much to be desired

[ghostrider7811]

I was a member @ Bally's since 1991, joining at the location in Largo, Fl. on US19 at SR688. I forgot what I paid upfront, but I recall it was rather high until I paid it off over 3 years. In was the platium membership , one of their best? , I think it was a nationwide membership, including baby sitting, Towel Service back when thay had it, and tanning I think.
Anyway, once I paid off the 3 years, I paid $100 per year up until the last few years, then I was paying about 150 per year. LA Fitness bought out Bally's here in FL and up into the NE area back in Jan. 2012. I turned in my Bally's card and got a LA Fitness key tag. I didn't pay anything as my membership was renewed @ Bally's in the fall 2011. I was told by an LA Fitness Manager that LA Fitness will honor my Bally's renewals. My wife joined @ same time, she said she just paid the 150 for the entire year @ LA Fitness. BTW, my new LA-F does cover the baby sitting also.

[chi_tino]

I am currently a member of the Gold's in NE St Pete. You should check it out on the inside -- it's pretty large.

My membership is $35 a month, so I can't imagine the cost for a couple would be more than 2x that.

And yes, all membership prices are negotiable. I anticipate that when the LA/Lifestyle mess blows over, they will be offering a monster deal to pick up new members. I plan on negotiating an upfront/all-cash deal if I switch to another gym.